Darvish Receives Injections For ‘Nerve Issue’

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Darvish lasted just 84 pitches in his final start of the season. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) –Rangers starter Yu Darvish was given an injection on Wednesday to help resolve a “nerve issue” that has troubled him since August, general manager Jon Daniels revealed on Thursday.

“He had effectively a nerve issue in his lower back that caused him to lose strength after a period of time in his right leg,” said Daniels on Thursday. “When I say lose strength, that’s a relevant term. He wasn’t as powerful as he wanted to be.”

According to Daniels, the problem first arose in August, though the team was not made aware of it til late in the month.

In August, Darvish pitched at least seven innings in five of six starts, going as 3-1 with a 2.51 ERA. He averaged 113 pitches per start.

September was a different story.

Darvish lasted more than six innings only twice, averaging 98 pitches in six starts. In his final start of the season — a “must win” — Darvish was pulled by manager Ron Washington in the sixth inning having thrown just 84 pitches.

Daniels said that Darvish could have received the injection during the season, but the 27-year-old refused.

“He chose not to have the injections because it would have required him to miss a start, and he did not want to do that. He wanted to take the ball every five days and I commend him for that.”

Darvish traveled back to Japan on Thursday and will be reevaluated when he returns to Dallas next month.

While Daniels admitted that the symptoms are similar to those experienced by starter Matt Harrison, MRI-results revealed no structural damage and Darvish will not need surgery.

Instead, Daniels fully expects his ace to be ready for the start of 2014.